Ratchet wrench
A ratchet wrench has a drive-stud element with a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end. The drive-stud element is coupled with a one-way drive transmitting wheel to rotate in unison therewith about an axis. The wrench can have a centering element that resists movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel in at least one direction away from the axis. The drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel can be separately formed. A method is also disclosed for operating a ratchet wrench with a drive-stud element with a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end.
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This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2004/004616, filed Feb. 17, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/523,034, filed Nov. 18, 2003.
BACKGROUNDRatchet wrenches that contain a drive stud shaped and dimensioned to be received by an opening in a tool such as a socket are well known in the art. In addition to having a drive stud, the ratchet wrench disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,069 to White contains an exposed drive recess in its ratchet wheel. The drive recess can be connected to a drive stud of a non-ratcheting tool with a screwdriver-type handle, which is used to turn a nut, screw, or bolt when it becomes difficult or impractical to use the primary handle of the wrench for a ratcheting operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,536 to Roberts et al. discloses another tool that has a drive stud and an exposed drive recess.
Other ratchet wrenches have components that resist movement of the ratchet wheel away from the axis of rotation. For example, in the wrench disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,995 to Roberts, a ratchet wheel is provided with an annular raised boss on the side of the ratchet wheel opposite the drive stud, and this boss fits within a recess in the head of the wrench. The boss resists forces tending to decenter the ratchet wheel with respect to its axis of rotation. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,140 to Roberts et al. discloses a centering element that extends from the head of a wrench into an annular recess on a face of a ratchet wheel opposed to a drive stud.
SUMMARYThe present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims.
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described herein relate to ratchet wrenches that comprise a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end. The drive-stud element is coupled with a one-way drive transmitting wheel to rotate in unison therewith about an axis. In one preferred embodiment, the one-way drive transmitting wheel/drive-stud element combination comprises a first face opposite the drive stud. The first face comprises a load-bearing surface that extends at least partly around the axis, and the one-way drive transmitting wheel extends farther than the load-bearing surface from the axis. The head comprises a non-rotating centering element that engages the load-bearing surface and is positioned to resist movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel in at least one direction away from the axis.
In another preferred embodiment, the drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel are separately formed. In yet another preferred embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating a ratchet wrench with a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end. A tool is coupled to the drive stud of the ratchet wrench, and a drive stud of a second ratchet wrench is coupled with the drive recess of the first ratchet wrench. The first ratchet wrench is rotated to rotate the tool in a first direction while the second ratchet wrench is counter-rotated in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Then, the second ratchet wrench is rotated to rotate the tool in the first direction while the first ratchet wrench is counter-rotated in the second direction. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.
Turning now to the drawings,
The drive recess 35 is shaped and dimensioned to receive a drive stud of an axially-aligned driving tool. In this illustrated embodiment, the drive recess 35 has four recesses 36 that accept a detent ball or a pin of a quick-release mechanism of an axially-aligned driving tool. In another embodiment, a hole is used instead of a recess. As used herein, a “driving tool” broadly refers to any torque transmitting device, including, but not limited to, another wrench, an extension bar, and a nut driver. Additionally, as shown in
The ratchet wrench 10 also comprises a one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 and a ratchet mechanism 45 coupled between the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 and the handle 15. As used herein, the term “one-way drive transmitting wheel” refers to a wheel that provides ratcheting action when used with the appropriate ratchet mechanism and can be toothed (e.g., a ratchet wheel) or non-toothed (e.g., a disc with a friction surface around its circumference or a clutch mechanism). The ratchet mechanism 45 controls rotation of the drive-stud element 25 with respect to the handle 15. The one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 is coupled to the drive-stud element 25, and they are rotatably mounted in the head 20 to rotate in unison about an axis A. In this embodiment, the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 takes the form of a toothed ratchet wheel, and the ratchet mechanism 45 takes the form of a pawl that engages the teeth of the toothed ratchet wheel. Although shown as being positioned at the top of the drive-stud element 25, the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 can be positioned at any intermediate point along the length of the drive-stud element 25. Additionally, a quick-release mechanism can be used to allow the drive-stud element 25 to be easily removed from the head 20 of the wrench 10. A cover plate 54 coupled with the head 20 and handle 15 hold the components mentioned above in the head 20.
The ratchet wrench 10 further comprises a reversing lever 50 that can be used to control the ratchet mechanism 45 of the wrench 10. The reversing lever 50 includes a handle 52. In this embodiment, the reversing lever 50 moves the ratchet mechanism 45 into any one of three functional positions: forward, neutral, and reverse. A detent ball (not shown) backed by a spring (not shown) resiliently holds the ratchet mechanism 45 in any one of these three positions. In the neutral position, the ratchet mechanism 45 is held out of contact with the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40, preventing ratcheting action and, if desired, allowing free-wheeling motion of the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 and the drive-stud element 25 with respect to the handle 15. In the forward and reverse positions, the ratchet mechanism 45 allows only one-direction rotation of the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 in the forward and reverse directions, respectively. It is not required in all embodiments that the pawl be held in the neutral position by a detent mechanism. The neutral position may be maintained in other ways and by other means, including frictional holding means, for example. Alternately, the ratchet mechanism 45 may be shaped to be in stable equilibrium when in the neutral position. Also, it is not necessary to have a neutral position. For additional information, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,140, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is hereby incorporated by reference.
In this embodiment, the drive-stud element 25 carries a quick-release mechanism 55. As shown in
Returning again to
The centering element 90 can be shaped in any suitable manner to resist movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 in at least one direction away from the axis A. For example, the centering element 90 can extends continuously around the axis A or can extend around the axis A over more than 180° but less than 360°. Other shapes are possible, such as a horseshoe shape. Additionally, the centering element 90 can contain gaps or notches.
While the load-bearing surface 85 was formed entirely on the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, the load-bearing surface is formed entirely on the drive-stud element or in part on the one-way drive transmitting wheel and in part on the drive-stud element. Further, the load-bearing surface can face radially outwardly (as shown in
As described above, the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 is coupled (or connected) to the drive-stud element 25. As used herein, the term “coupled” (or “connected”) is intended broadly to encompass both direct and indirect coupling (or connecting). Thus, first and second parts are said to be coupled together when they are directly functionally engaged (e.g., by direct contact), as well as when the first part is functionally engaged with an intermediate part (e.g., a layer of adhesive or a key) which is functionally engaged either directly or via one or more additional intermediate parts with the second part. Also, two elements are said to be coupled when they are functionally engaged (directly or indirectly) at some times and not functionally engaged at other times. Further, “coupled” (or “connected”) is broadly defined to encompass one-piece arrangements, unless the context requires otherwise. In this way, the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 is coupled to the drive-stud element 25 irrespective of whether the one-way drive transmitting wheel 40 and drive-stud element 25 are separately formed elements that are later joined together or whether they are formed together as a single component.
In certain situations, it may be preferred to have the drive-stud element be separately formed from the one-way drive transmitting wheel rather than having the drive-stud element and one-way drive transmitting wheel be formed together as a single component. For example, if the drive-stud element and one-way drive transmitting wheel are formed as a single component, the presence of the one-way drive transmitting wheel can make it difficult to form a quick-release mechanism in the drive-stud element particularly if a short drive-stud element is desired. As another example, the use of two separate components allows existing drive-stud elements to be converted into wheel/drive-stud element combinations with minimal time and effort by simply adding a one-way drive transmitting wheel to the existing parts. Further, separately-formed components allow different sized one-way drive transmitting wheels to be made without making a new die for the drive-stud element.
When the drive-stud element and one-way drive transmitting wheel are separate components, they can differ from each other in at least one of composition, hardness, ductility, finish, malleability, and method of forming. This, for example, allows the drive-stud element to be made from a material that is suitable for cold forming operations (e.g., cold-headed), while allowing the one-way drive transmitting wheel to be made from a different material. In one presently preferred embodiment, the drive-stud element is made from a material at least as strong as 6140 chrome-vanadium steel, and the one-way drive transmitting wheel is made from US 4140 steel. The contact region between the drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel can take any suitable shape including, but not limited to, shapes that are generally circular 600 (see
The drive-stud element can be coupled to the one-way drive transmitting wheel by a press fit. As shown in
Finally, it is important to note that the separately-formed drive-stud element and one-way drive transmitting wheel can be used in a ratchet wrench with or without a centering element and/or quick-release mechanism.
Turning now to another preferred embodiment, a new method is provided where two ratchet wrenches are used to drive a tool. The first ratchet wrench comprises a handle, a one-way drive transmitting wheel mounted to the handle to rotate about an axis, a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end, and a ratchet mechanism coupled between the one-way drive transmitting wheel and the handle. The second ratchet wrench comprises a drive stud. It should be noted that either wrench can be of the types described above or of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,536, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is hereby incorporated by reference. Further, either of the first and second ratchet wrenches can optionally have a centering element and/or quick-release mechanism. Additionally, the drive-stud element in the first ratchet wrench can be separately formed from the one-way drive transmitting wheel, or, alternatively, the drive-stud element and one-way drive transmitting wheel can be formed together as a single component.
In operation, the drive stud of a second ratchet wrench is coupled to the drive recess of the first ratchet wrench, and a tool is coupled to the drive stud of the first ratchet wrench. As noted above, a “tool” broadly refers to any type of torque-transmitting tool, including, but not limited to, sockets, hex keys, screwdriver blades, and the like. As also noted above, the “coupling” of the tool to the drive stud can be direct or indirect. In use, the first ratchet wrench is rotated to rotate the tool in a first direction while the second ratchet wrench is counter-rotated in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Then, the second ratchet wrench is rotated to rotate the tool in the first direction while the first ratchet wrench is counter-rotated in the second direction. When desired, the drive stud of the second ratchet wrench can be de-coupled from the drive recess of the first ratchet wrench. This provides for a two-handed/two-stroke drive operation that allows each wrench to be used in counterpoint.
While in the embodiments illustrated above, the one-way drive transmitting wheel took the form of a toothed ratchet wheel, and the ratchet mechanism took the form of a pawl, in other embodiments, the one-way drive transmitting wheel is non-toothed. For example, clutch-type ratchet mechanisms can be used. Unlike toothed ratchet wheels, clutch-type ratchet mechanisms allow for an extremely small angle to ratchet since the lack of teeth eliminate the requirement that the ratchet mechanism slip back at least one tooth to provide ratcheting action. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,412,688 and 5,535,647, which are hereby incorporated by reference, disclose components that can be adapted to construct a clutch-type ratchet mechanism. As illustrated, the one-way drive transmitting wheel shown in
Finally, each of these preferred embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another. For example, the centering element embodiments can be used with a one-piece wheel/drive-stud element combination or with a wheel/drive-stud element combination that is made from separately-formed components. Further, the disclosed wrenches can be used alone or with a second wrench for a two-stroke operation. Additionally, as noted above, although a quick release mechanism is shown in the drawings, the use of a quick release mechanism is not required.
The foregoing detailed description has described only a few of the many forms that the present invention can take, and should therefore be taken as illustrative rather than limiting. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A ratchet wrench comprising:
- a handle comprising a head;
- a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end;
- a one-way drive transmitting wheel having a recess, the wheel being separately formed from and coupled to the drive-stud element to rotate in unison therewith, the one-way drive transmitting wheel and drive-stud element rotatably mounted in the head to rotate about an axis, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel coupled to the drive-stud element form a wheel/drive-stud element combination; and
- a ratchet mechanism coupled between the one-way drive transmitting wheel and the handle;
- wherein the wheel/drive-stud element combination and the recess comprise a first face opposite the drive stud, the first face comprising a load-bearing surface extending at least partly around the axis, the one-way drive transmitting wheel extending farther than the load-bearing surface from the axis; and
- wherein the head comprises a non-rotating centering element engaging the load bearing surface and positioned to resist movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel in at least one direction away from the axis, the centering element shaped to expose the drive recess for connection to an axially-aligned driving tool.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the centering element extends around the axis over more than 1800°.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the centering element extends continuously around the axis.
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the centering element comprises a raised annulus.
5. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least part of the load-bearing surface faces radially outwardly with respect to the axis.
6. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least part of the load-bearing surface faces radially inwardly with respect to the axis.
7. The invention of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing surface is formed only on the one-way drive transmitting wheel.
8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing surface is formed only on the drive-stud element.
9. The invention of claim 1, wherein part of the load-bearing surface is formed on the one-way drive transmitting wheel and another part of the load-bearing surface is formed on the drive-stud element.
10. The invention of claim 1, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel comprises a toothed ratchet wheel, and wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl that engages the toothed ratchet wheel.
11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel is non-toothed.
12. The invention of claim 1, wherein the drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel are separately formed as respective parts that are secured together.
13. The invention of claim 12, wherein the drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel differ in at least one of composition, hardness, ductility, finish, malleability, and method of forming.
14. The invention of claim 1, wherein the drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel are formed together as a single component.
15. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a quick-release mechanism carried by the drive-stud element.
16. A ratchet wrench comprising:
- a handle comprising a head;
- a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end;
- a one-way drive transmitting wheel having a recess, the wheel being separately formed from and connected to the drive-stud element to rotate in unison therewith, the one-way drive transmitting wheel and drive-stud element rotatably mounted in the head to rotate about an axis; and
- a ratchet mechanism coupled between the one-way drive transmitting wheel and the handle; wherein the head comprises a non-rotating centering element engaging at least one of the drive-stud element and a portion of the recess of the one-way drive transmitting wheel.
17. The invention of claim 16, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel differs from the drive-stud element in at least one of composition, hardness, ductility, finish, malleability, and method of forming.
18. The invention of claim 16, wherein the centering element is positioned to resist movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel in at least one direction away from the axis, and the centering element is shaped to expose the drive recess for connection to an axially aligned driving tool.
19. The invention of claim 16, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel comprises a toothed ratchet wheel.
20. The invention of claim 16, wherein the one-way drive transmitting wheel is non-toothed.
21. The invention of claim 16 further comprising a quick-release mechanism carried by the drive-stud element.
22. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is generally circular.
23. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is generally hexagonal.
24. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is generally square.
25. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is generally ovoid.
26. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is generally polygonal.
27. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is splined.
28. The invention of claim 16, wherein the drive-stud element contacts the one-way drive transmitting wheel in a contact region that is non-round.
29. A method for operating a ratchet wrench, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first ratchet wrench comprising: a handle; a one-way drive transmitting wheel having a recess and being mounted to the handle to rotate about an axis; a drive-stud element comprising a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end, the drive-stud element coupled to rotate with the one-way drive transmitting wheel; and a ratchet mechanism coupled between the one-way drive transmitting wheel and the handle; wherein the head comprises a non-rotating centering element engaging at least one of the drive-stud element and a portion of the recess of the one-way drive transmitting wheel:
- (b) providing a second ratchet wrench comprising a drive-stud;
- (c) coupling the drive stud of the second ratchet wrench and the drive recess of the first ratchet wrench;
- (d) coupling the drive stud of the first ratchet wrench to a tool;
- (e) rotating the first ratchet wrench to rotate the tool in a first direction while counter-rotating the second ratchet wrench in a second direction, opposite the first direction; and
- (f) rotating the second ratchet wrench to rotate the tool in the first direction while counter-rotating the first ratchet wrench in the second direction.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:
- (g) de-coupling the drive stud of the second ratchet wrench and the drive recess of the first ratchet wrench.
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- International Search Report from PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/004616.
Type: Grant
Filed: Feb 17, 2004
Date of Patent: Jan 6, 2009
Patent Publication Number: 20070000355
Assignee: JODA Enterprises, Inc. (Chicago, IL)
Inventor: John B. Davidson (Chicago, IL)
Primary Examiner: David B Thomas
Attorney: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Application Number: 10/580,775
International Classification: B25B 13/46 (20060101);